26 December 2011
AS Zambia regroups in Lusaka today after a Christmas break before departure for a training camp in South Africa ahead of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association (ZAVOSOFA) has questioned coach Herve Renard’s team selection.
ZAVOSOFA strongman, Peter Makembo wondered in Lusaka yesterday why Renard left out the likes of Fwayo Tembo, of FC Basel in Switzerland, in his provisional team, preferring injured players.
Makembo said Renard should have given a chance to Tembo, who was part of the 2010 AFCON and London Olympic Games qualifiers, and exclude Thomas Nyirenda and James Chamanga who are injured.
Makembo said Germany-based Andrew Sinkala should be given a chance to prove himself as his experience would be an advantage to the national team that would be seeking the first-ever Africa Cup trophy.
Makembo said it was wrong for the coach to bank on the injured duo when he could pick Sinkala and Tembo who were currently playing for their respective clubs unlike the bulk of players Renard has picked.
“As fans we shall always support the coach and the team that he selects but it would be good for him to also hear and respect our views. Why should we be hoping for Chamanga or Nyirenda to get fit when we have players likes Sinkala and Tembo who are readily available and fit,” he said.
And Zambia striker, Collins Mbesuma said winning the opening match against Senegal on January 21 would set the right tone for the Chipolopolo’s title aspirations.
Mbesuma said from Durban in South Africa yesterday that getting maximum points from the first Group A match would also help build confidence in the squad.
He also said Zambia’s chances for a historic AFCON trophy were high but emphasised the need for hard work as nothing comes easily.
Mbesuma said since there were no more underdogs in African football, the Chipolopolo just needed to stay focused to achieve something from the continental tournament.
Meanwhile, Zambia defender Joseph Musonda is among foreign-based players that have arrived in the country and are expected to join the Chipolopolo.
Musonda arrived in the country on Friday for the Christmas holiday while his teammate at Golden Arrows Mbesuma remained behind and is set to join the team when it regroups in Johannesburg.
He told MTN football that “I will be with the team when it resumes camp on Monday in Lusaka. Mbseuma stayed behind this time and will join us in Johannesburg on Tuesday.”
Free State Stars midfielder Noah Chivuta said he was still in South Africa and would join the team at Garden Court MilPark tomorrow.
Zambia will set up camp in Johannesburg starting on December 27 until January 18 when they are expected to fly out for Equatorial Guinea ahead of their opening 2012 Nations Cup Group A game against Senegal on January 21 in Bata.
Prior to that, Zambia will face Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a friendly at Atteridgeville on January 11.
And Zambia second choice goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje has revealed that his short-term deal with TP Mazembe in DR Congo has expired and he is now shopping for a new club.
“I don’t have a club now as of October when I left TP (Mazembe),” Kakonje said.
“I am a free agent and I am looking for offers right now.”
Kakonje joined Mazembe at the start of this year after South African Premier Soccer League club Amazulu released him at the end of the 2009/2010 season.
He is currently part of the Zambian team who have been in camp in Lusaka preparing for their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations outing.
AllAfrica – All the Time